H&H Associates, Ludhiana-based private traffic consultants, have been authorized to study traffic problems in the city, and suggest solutions. Today, the consultants presented a digital survey of Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road, Dugri Road from Preet Palace Chowk up to Phase-II Urban Estate, Lakkar Bridge ROB and Fountain Chowk.

The consultants have suggested one-third reduction in the size of Fountain Chowk. Traffic from six roads, viz. College Road, Petrol Pump Road, Mall Road, Cemetery Road, Ghumar Mandi and PSEB office road comes to this chowk. Hence, traffic lights will be installed at this chowk. At one time, traffic from three roads will move.

A similar plan was also suggested by a company about five years ago, but it was not implemented.

Dugri Road
The consultants have said that a police post comes on Dugri Road, so a wide curve should be provided here, to reduce congestion. At the turning of this road towards Model Town, a wall-to-wall road should be constructed. Ahead of this, public parking should be provided at vacant MC land near a gurdwara in the area, and the Dugri bridge should be made two-way.
Further, the road going towards Urban Estate should be made six-lane, which can also be called a model road if it materializes. Some encroachers are selling shuttering here. The experts have suggested that if they are removed, the road will be wide enough to be made six lane.
However, this seems to be a difficult task. The two way Dugri bridge was discussed by MC earlier too, but nothing concrete was done about it.

Chandigarh Road and Lakkar Bridge
The consultants have suggested some points about Chandigarh Road and Lakkar Bridge as well. “Lakkar bridge should be taken towards the Railway Diesel Shed. Some curves will have to be made wider at Jamalpur, Bhamian Kalan village, Sector 39 etc at Chandigarh Road,” Senior Deputy Mayor Parveen Bansal told Newsline.
MC Commissioner Vikas Partap said, “The councillors had some objections about the suggestions at Chandigarh Road and Lakkar Bridge. A site visit will be conducted, and by next week, the proposals will be produced in the house for formal approval. Later, we can make the estimates of these projects.”
The Commissioner added that the consultants are studying more roads, which will be discussed subsequently.

For all major roads, elaborate planning regarding widening, improvement of road geometrics, automatic traffic signals, provision of slip ways, road markings etc were discussed. At some crossings/functions, provision of rotaries/automatic traffic signals and slip ways/islands are proposed for proper planning of roads.

The MC Commissioner said that for these new measures, departments such as PWD, PUDA/GLADA, LIT, PSEB, Railway shall be approached, to ensure coordination. He added that keeping in view the intensity and quantum of traffic in the city, the present infrastructure of major roads need complete planning for ensuring smooth movement of traffic.